We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel... [Colossians 1:3-5 NASB]
One of the themes throughout Paul's writings is the triad of "faith, hope, and love." In this passage, he is grateful to God for the report of their faith and love, which has resulted from hope.
It brings to mind the scripture;
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing...And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. [1 Corinthians 13:1-3,13 NKJV]
People are motivated to act by many things. Pride and a desire to be recognized may motivate spiritual gifts. Intellectual curiosity may cause a person to delve deeply into the Bible, without ever coming to a knowledge of the truth. Outrage at the plight of their fellow man may motivate people to demonstrate, or become an activist. But if you are not motivated by the love that comes from God, then it is meaningless.
Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated for his passive resistance against British rule in India. Yet, as a Hindi, it cannot be said that he was motivated by God's love. Religious pride, yes. Nationalism, yes. His protests were effective, and benefited the Hindi people of India, but there is no eternal reward.
With God's love as the motivator, even small acts carry a reward. Jesus said,
“And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” [Matthew 10:42 NASB]
Paul indicates that love results from our hope of eternal salvation. If your mind is turned heavenward, that is, towards the things of Spirit of God, it won't cause you to overlook the things of earth. On the contrary, as the Spirit leads, your eyes will be open to the needs of people around you. Your heart will have more compassion. If God's love is in you then it will overflow to others. The apostle John wrote;
We love, because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. [1 John 4:19-21 NASB]
Love is a fruit of the Spirit. It is not something you can "work up". You cannot "fake it until you make it." The love of God comes from knowing God. Spend time in His presence. Walk in the Spirit so that the fruit of the Spirit will grow, and never lose sight of the hope of eternity with Jesus.
Lord, I thank You for the hope that You have given us; the promise of eternal life with You. I pray that Your fruit will grow in us, and that our love will be evident to all.
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